Beam-core evolution equation and space-charge limit

The nonlinear beam-core evolution equation approach is proposed as a powerful tool to estimate the acceptable beam current in a given circular accelerator. The approach is justified by the macroparticle simulation over a wide beam current parameter region. Space-charge effects on the beam-core evolution are discussed by Poincaré mapping on the beam-core phase space (σ, dσ/ds). The instability seen in the beam-core evolution is rigorously analyzed as an eigenvalue problem in the coupled linear system derived from the linearized beam-core evolution equations. A threshold current resulting in the instability is given by both the nonlinear beam-core evolution equation approach and the coupled linear system approach. As an example, a fast cycling induction synchrotron is evaluated in which the space-charge effects are significant because it is injector-free.